Summary

  • Allen converts Benteke knock-down for opener

  • Gomes fails to stop 20-yard Firmino strike

  • Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Flanagan, Skrtel, Lucas, Moreno, Allen, Stewart, Ojo, Coutinho, Ibe, Benteke

  • Watford XI: Gomes, Prodl, Cathcart, Britos, Anya, Abdi, Suarez, Watson, Jurado, Ighalo, Deeney.

  1. 'What a great goal it was'published at 16:53 British Summer Time 8 May 2016

    Liverpool 1-0 Watford

    BBC Merseyside Sport
    Ex-Liverpool midfielder David Thompson at Anfield

    "Watford have had a couple of decent chances and Liverpool's goal came against the run of play. But what a great goal it was, following a great move. 

    "But if this was a draw neither side could complain."

  2. HALF-TIMEpublished at 16:52 British Summer Time 8 May 2016

    Liverpool 0-0 Watford

    Liverpool have had most of the ball but Watford have had their chances...

    .Image source, .
  3. HALF-TIMEpublished at 16:47 British Summer Time 8 May 2016

    Liverpool 0-0 Watford

    Martin Fisher
    MOTD commentator

    "There's not an awful lot of quality out there but Liverpool are doing just enough. Watford's best chances have fallen to Odion Ighalo, who has been struggling recently, and he's not looked like putting any of them away."

  4. Postpublished at 43 mins

    Liverpool 0-0 Watford

    Watford midfielder Ben Watson is chatting to ref Lee Mason. He might be asking why his side didn't get a penalty when his shot was blocked by Martin Skrtel. Mason is probably saying because Skrtel's arm was down by his side and not in an unnatural position. 

  5. Postpublished at 42 mins

    Liverpool 0-0 Watford

    Greedy? Philippe Coutinho has the Watford defence backtracking as he runs at the visitors' goal and, even though he has Christian Benteke free on the right, he chooses to shoot and has his effort blocked.

  6. 'Allen is playing so well at the moment'published at 16:38 British Summer Time 8 May 2016

    Liverpool 1-0 Watford

    BBC Merseyside Sport
    Ex-Liverpool midfielder David Thompson at Anfield

    Joe AllenImage source, Reuters

    "That was a beautifully-worked goal. Lovely free-kick from Coutinho, a great Benteke knock-down and there was Joe Allen. Great finish. 

    "Adding goals to his game will be another string to the bow of Allen, and it's well deserved. He's playing so well at the moment. 

    "Whenever he's brought into the side, Allen adds something to Liverpool's game."

  7. goal

    GOAL - Liverpool 1-0 Watfordpublished at 35 mins

    Joe Allen

    Joe AllenImage source, Reuters

    Philippe Coutinho sends a ball into the Watford box and Christian Benteke heads it down for Joe Allen to slide in and sidefoot home.

  8. Postpublished at 33 mins

    Liverpool 0-0 Watford

    Jordon Ibe doesn't see a pass to play in Reds striker Christian Benteke after Liverpool steal possession in midfield but he's fouled just outside the box to win a free-kick 22 yards out. Benteke steps up to take it and can only hit the wall before his rebound is also blocked.

  9. Postpublished at 30 mins

    Liverpool 0-0 Watford

    A Watford corner falls to Almen Abdi and he lets fly with a well struck shot but Reds centre-back Martin Skrtel is again on hand to block the effort.

  10. Postpublished at 29 mins

    Liverpool 0-0 Watford

    A ball over the top of Liverpool's defence is controlled well by Odion Ighalo but, before the Watford striker can get a shot away, Martin Skrtel gets in a vital tackle.

  11. Postpublished at 24 mins

    Liverpool 0-0 Watford

    Watford's tactics appear to be to catch Liverpool out on the counter-attack. A Reds corner quickly turns into a Hornets foray forward as Ikechi Anya charges at the Liverpool goal before sending an angled shot over.

  12. 'Benteke's had a difficult season'published at 16:21 British Summer Time 8 May 2016

    Liverpool 0-0 Watford

    BBC Merseyside Sport
    Ex-Liverpool midfielder David Thompson at Anfield

    Christian BentekeImage source, PA

    "This match is a great opportunity for Christian Benteke. He's had a difficult season and has scored a few goals but nowhere near enough. 

    "He's going to have to start delivering soon or his Anfield career won't last much longer. Which is a shame, because I really like him."

  13. Postpublished at 18 mins

    Liverpool 0-0 Watford

    Ikechi Anya gives the ball away for Watford and Sheyi Ojo picks it up on the Reds right. He cuts inside and, even though his pass to Jordon Ibe is overhit, it falls to Alberto Moreno just outside the box and he sends a shot over. 

  14. Gareth Pirlo?published at 15 mins

    Liverpool v Watford (15:00 BST)

    Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers once referred to Joe Allen as the Welsh Xavi but the Reds player is supporting Gareth Bale style hair and an Andrea Pirlo beard. Gareth Pirlo or Andrea Bale?

  15. Postpublished at 12 mins

    Liverpool 0-0 Watford

    Philippe Coutinho produces a sidestep in the Watford box before having a shot go just wide via a deflection. Watford clear the resulting corner and it's been a fast start by both teams here at Anfield. Let's hope it continues. 

  16. Postpublished at 8 mins

    Liverpool 0-0 Watford

    Odion IghaloImage source, Reuters

    Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen gives the ball away to Odion Ighalo and he tries an ambitious effort from about 40 yards as he tries to catch keeper Simon Mignolet off his line. The shot is off target but not by much.

  17. Postpublished at 5 mins

    Liverpool 0-0 Watford (15:00 BST)

    Troy DeeneyImage source, Reuters

    An early chance for Watford. Troy Deeney plays Odion Ighalo through on goal but Alberto Moreno runs across from left-back to dispossess the Watford forward. That was a rarity - some actual defending from Moreno. 

  18. 'It's just about getting through the games'published at 16:02 British Summer Time 8 May 2016

    Liverpool 0-0 Watford

    BBC Merseyside Sport
    Ex-Liverpool midfielder David Thompson at Anfield

    "The league position for either club is not too important now. For Liverpool, the priority is to get into Europe next season. If they can get into the Champions League via the Europa League that will be an extraordinary achievement. 

    "Regarding the league, for the Reds it's just about getting through the games and making sure everyone is fit for Basel."

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  19. Postpublished at 1 min

    Liverpool 0-0 Watford (15:00 BST)

    After a top rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone and a Watford huddle, Liverpool get the match under way...

  20. Take statpublished at 16:00 British Summer Time 8 May 2016

    Liverpool v Watford (16:00 BST)

    • Liverpool are on a 10-match unbeaten run at Anfield, including four Europa League wins (W7, D3).
    • The Reds have dropped an unrivalled 19 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season.
    • Watford's only competitive win in 11 attempts against Liverpool at Anfield came in August 1999 when Tommy Mooney scored the only goal in a Premier League meeting.
    • The Hornets have scored just 12 Premier League goals in 2016, a joint-league-low with Aston Villa.